N. Korea's revised constitution gives more power to Kim Jong-il

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Yonap) -- North Korea's new constitution describes its leader
Kim Jong-il as the country's "supreme leader" and also articulates his role and
authority, an apparent bid to shore up his power amid reports of poor health and
rumors of a power transfer to his son.

Article 100 of the constitution, revised in April and obtained by Yonhap News
Agency on Monday, says, "The chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC) is
the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." Kim currently
serves as the head of the commission.
Kim is arguably the most powerful figure in the reclusive communist nation, but
it is the first time the North's constitution has stipulated it.
In articles that were not included in the earlier version adopted in 1998, the
revised constitution also says the chairman of the NDC "oversees the entire
national business, appoints and dismisses major figures in the military sector,
and also ratifies or abolishes important treaties with foreign nations."
lcd@yna.co.kr
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